In the first utilization of Shorebeat’s new drone, we surveyed the damage that the five-day storm powered by the once-Hurricane Ian inflicted on local beaches.
On Friday, cliffs were seen in some oceanfront areas and entrances were torn up, however others were simply sand-covered. Much of the berm had reappeared, and beach buggies were once again able to access the berm.
An aerial view of damage in Ortley Beach following the passage of the remnants of Hurricane Ian, Oct. 7, 2022. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
An aerial view of damage in Ortley Beach following the passage of the remnants of Hurricane Ian, Oct. 7, 2022. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
An aerial view of damage in Ortley Beach following the passage of the remnants of Hurricane Ian, Oct. 7, 2022. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
Toms River officials have acknowledged the damage to beach entrances and the erosion to the beach berm. The township has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars following numerous storms in an attempt to shore up the berm and repair entrances and fencing, and is now relying on a nascent beach renourishment project slated for 2023 to re-engineer the beach in order to prevent future instances of severe erosion.
“For the upcoming periodic nourishment, we will be placing sand across most of the project area with a focus on the areas that have experienced the most erosion,” said Stephen Rochette, public affairs officer for the Philadelphia district, in a previous interview with Shorebeat. “In this sense, it will be somewhat different than the initial construction.”
An aerial view of damage in Ortley Beach following the passage of the remnants of Hurricane Ian, Oct. 7, 2022. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
An aerial view of damage in Ortley Beach following the passage of the remnants of Hurricane Ian, Oct. 7, 2022. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
An aerial view of damage in Ortley Beach following the passage of the remnants of Hurricane Ian, Oct. 7, 2022. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
An aerial view of damage in Ortley Beach following the passage of the remnants of Hurricane Ian, Oct. 7, 2022. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
Toms River’s municipal engineer visited the neighborhood following the storm, but it is unknown if any repairs will be undertaken before the federal project gets underway. A township council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 12, has been cancelled.
